"Pence did not say whether the three nuclear sites hit by the U.S. have any remaining capacity.
"I'm not going to get into sensitive intelligence about what we've seen on the ground there in Iran, but we've seen a lot, and I feel very confident that we've substantially delayed their development of a nuclear weapon, and that was the goal of this attack," Vance said."
Japan: "We're not at war with America, we're at war with America's navy."
We'll see where this heads. I'm not sure how much capacity Iran has to truly retaliate, as I don't think it has many friends in the region. I don't know if Russia is willing to come in and escalate when it already has its hands full in Ukraine--it also doesn't want to risk pulling Europe even further into its entanglements. China is the big wild card. Will it come out in support of Iran and if so, how? I'm not even sure how much escalation there will be in western countries in terms of terrorism... most of the terrorist attacks in western countries have been by Sunni muslims, I believe, and Iran is a Shia country.
As much as I hate to say it, because it would seem to justify warmongering, but the best possible outcome in terms of least bloodshed and chaos, would be that this is a western "big dick" moment and the Iranian regime is genuinely cowed into submission. I don't think that's gonna happen, but the alternatives feel way worse.
I'm not sure how much capacity Iran has to truly retaliate
You're forgetting that they very strategically founded their country right in the middle of a bunch of American bases.
You're right about the best case scenario, but I don't think the Iranian regime can let this go unanswered, especially with Israel continuing their attacks.
I was watching part of the OIC meeting yesterday just to gauge the sentiment - this was before the USAF mixed into this conflict. Erdogan was doing his best to push a narrative of "family", and that Netanyahu is the “biggest obstacle to regional peace”.
Not sure about the former; the latter is probably correct if you add , right now. I've lived in that region for a couple of years and there wasn't much unity. Everyone has a reason to dislike the other person that's different from them, and there's always a difference to be found.
Whoever is war with who but essentially, there are three possible outcomes from the current crisis after the US strikes on Iran:
Iran agrees to the terms during secret negotiations; officially, they are still somewhat sluggishly attacking, but gradually it is declining. The peak has passed. The most likely scenario.
Iran agrees openly, complete surrender. Unlikely.
Iran does not engage in negotiations at all; the conflict drags on for months or even years, and gradually the USA gets more and more involved in the conflict.
Wow. Yeah, I’m pretty open minded about reading articles and giving them a chance even when the title is ridiculous, but this is one book I’m willing to judge by its cover.
, right now. I've lived in that region for a couple of years and there wasn't much unity. Everyone has a reason to dislike the other person that's different from them, and there's always a difference to be found.